I’m a girly girl. I love dressing up. My favorite season being fall, where I can wear long wool sweaters, mainly in beige, you know the one’s you wear to the mountains, and a black pair of leggings with my favorite brown boots. If I could wear that every day year-round, I totally would. But there’s also a not girly girl side to me. I love dirt bikes. Yep. Dirt bikes. Sometimes even four-wheelers, but dirt bikes just have more of an edge. And the best part of dad’s house, is the free land behind our house, in the woods, with a great path I’ve created over the years riding along. Not many know this about me, and when they first meet me, they never detect I have such a wild side. Could possibly be the reason I don’t have a man in my life. I’m not just the girly girl, I can hold my own with them out doing guy things. Not that I would ever volunteer to be with them 24/7 but if he ever did want to spend time with me besides a fancy dinner or a movie, I’m definitely down.
“Be careful,” dad stands on the edge of the deck watching me slide the helmet over my head, “Always dad,” I retort as I swing one of my legs across the seat and start the bike. Giving it the extra little rev to let him know I’m headed out into the woods.
Descending along my path, I fly over some rocks, tilt my body to the right, to the left, depending on the turn, and think about absolutely nothing as I soar with the wind through the woods and out into the green field. I’m focused. Determined. But totally taken back when a four-wheeler passes me by stopping me dead in my tracks. As I take another look, the man on the four-wheeler has also stopped and is looking back at me. We’re both facing each other, but unclear to make out a face with our helmets covering our face. Coincidently we’re removing our helmets curious about each other.
“You?” I laugh.
“You?” Elliot laughs and we’re both surprised by this unexpected run in.
I pull my dirt bike back inching closer to him, “You know this is my path, right?”
“What do you mean?” he’s confused.
“I’ve ridden my bike so much, it’s left tracks. You’re riding my tracks,” I look around.
“Honestly, I didn’t peg you for the dirt bike kind,” he smiles at me and for the first time, I’m looking at him in more ways than one. He’s sexy. His dark hair, the scruff on his face is very chiseled and attractive. However, he looks weather-beaten, it definitely shows he’s been outside for a while.
“Well, I’m not always what you think,” I joke around.
“You are definitely a woman with surprises, intriguing,” he looks as if he’s star struck.
“Don’t stare too long, you might fall in love with me,” I quirk.
I swing the helmet back over my head, start my bike, and continue my drive, leaving him behind. But not for long, I hear the sound not only of my dirt bike, but the four-wheeler following my every move. We’re enjoying the time together, but we’re not together. I’m not even sure what he’s doing besides following me.
An hour has gone by, and I still wasn’t able to shake him, he’s been keeping up with me at every speed. He actually captivates me. I hadn’t met anyone before that could hold his own with me. They’ve either tried to pass me. Or they couldn’t handle I was better than them. But Elliot has been cruising behind me never attempting to pass, but staying right with me.
Arriving in my backyard, I’m surprised he’s still with me, “You never passed,” I state the obvious.
“I enjoyed the view,” he teases.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m just kidding. It was actually fun watching you,” he helps me pull the gloves off my hands that seem to be stuck from sweat.
“Thanks,” I whisper taken back a little from our touch.
I feel like a schoolgirl. I’m not supposed to feel that way. But I do.
“Question,” he states pulling my helmet over my bike handle.
“Answer,” I remark.
“How would you like to join me for a drink around the fire for a little while,” he points in the direction where his fire pit appears to be.
“Sure,” I don’t even think twice, “I’ll have to put the bike up first and freshen up.”
“Sounds good, I give you fifteen minutes,” he smiles.
“Be there in ten,” I wink, turn around, and grab my bike heading towards the garage.
As soon as I walk inside of the house, I take a breath. Behind closed doors where I know he won’t see me smile, giggle, and dream.
“Honey?” Dad catches me and scares me so much I squeal.
“Daddy!” I scream.
“I’ve seen that look before,” he picks on me.
“Not now, I have to get changed,” I run up the wooden stairs to my old bedroom.
“For what?” I hear his screams from below.
“None of your business dad, by the way, the cookies are in the top cabinet behind the white plastic cups, you’re welcome,” I smile into the mirror as I debate which shirt and which pair of shorts to wear.